Expressing your feelings is difficult for some people, and for others it can be effortless. “Trying to look tough and be masculine. Not being too ‘girly’ or liking ‘weird’ things, like certain TV shows or video games” this quote borrowed from the article “How to Talk With Boys About Masculinity” from Xavier, age 15, is one example why boys don’t express their feelings.
Teenage boys’ mental health is a very important topic because its connected to the way they express themselves. Most teenage boys have unique ways of expressing their feelings to others. Instead of talking to someone or writing in a journal, they express those feelings with aggression toward others. Another way that they express their feelings is by bottling them up, and then exploding. There is a fix to all of these problems.
Let’s start with what causes these coping patterns to occur. Boys have a tendency to look up to other older, nice looking men as role models. But only see the cool, nonchalant side of them, and not the vulnerable side of them. Seeing this causes them to reflect on the role models’ actions, such as using aggression to express their feelings just to look cool, or completely blocking their feelings from coming out. Another reason this happens is because of ideas made up by our society which makes boys expressing their feelings look like a bad thing or unmasculine. The last key factor is how people compare themselves to others in their peer group. They compare themselves in negative ways, by making others feel amazing and themselves feel sad. It makes them feel self conscious about how they feel.
“Masculinity is often defined by dominance, stoicism, physical strength, and the ability to provide.” This quote from the article “How to Talk With Boys About Masculinity”, recommended to me by psychologist and book author Dr. Rick Hanson about teenage boys, and the idea of what masculinity is for teenage boys. This plays a part in these ideas that teenage boys expressing their feelings is uncool.
All of these traits are terrible for mental health, but there are some simple tricks that can help like a journal, or talking about your emotions with your parents. The most important part about expressing your feelings is feeling comfortable while doing it. Meditation is very good for grounding yourself. Not being in the moment can greatly affect your mental health.
Taking all these ideas into account, no matter who you are, expressing your feelings will help you in many ways, and will improve your mind set significantly. Your mental health is very important, and is the main reason you should express your feelings. Teenage boys’ mental health is a very important concept, and expressing your feelings will help you with your mental health.
